Chief tells of a visitor to the ward six years before, who was dressed as Santa Claus with a natural beard. He is “fixed” and sent out into the world clean shaven and underweight.
McMurphy complains that the ward radio is playing too loud and asks Nurse Ratched to turn down the volume, a request that she refuses due to the her belief that the ward’s patients who are hearing impaired will not be able to enjoy the music.
McMurphy discovers Chief isn’t deaf when he tells him an orderly is coming to tie him into bed and Chief responds immediately.
